Abstract

Obimba, Kelechukwu Clarence, 2Ozougwu, Jevas Chibuike, 3Emejulu Ada A, and 4 Ihedimbu, Perpetua Chiamaka

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of the use of biochemical, hematological, blood pressure and anthropometric indices as diagnostic parameters of obesity. The experimental design was a single factor completely randomized design (CRD). Twenty (20) normal human subjects and thirty (30) obese patients were subjected to systolic (SP) and diastolic (DP) blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), serum glycated albumin (GA), fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum leptin (L), serum total cholesterol (C) and serum triglyceride (T) tests. Results recorded of the normal human subjects and obese patients, expressed as mean ± standard error (S.E) (unit) were as follows : SP (120.52 ± 9.14) and (146.87 ± 11.23) (mmHg), DP (75.6±1.7) and (90.11±0.9) (mmHg), BMI (15.3±0.7) and (30.5 ±1.7) (kg/m2 ), GA (15.5±0.2) and (13.1±0.3) (%), FBS (68.8±4.7) and (125.8±1.7) (mg/dl), AST (9.2 ±1.9) and (22.5 ±1.0) (U/l), HbA1c (6.15 ±0.4) and (8.15 ±0.3) (%), L (10.5 ±1.0) and (31.5 ±1.0) (ng/ml.kg), C (170±1.5) and (195±2.0) (mg/dl), and T (175.51±2.3) and (110.2±0.215) (mg/dl), respectively. The mean values of SP, DP, and BMI, FBS, AST, HbA1c, L, C and T were significantly higher (p<0.05), but that of GA was significantly lower (p<0.01) in obese patients compared with normal human subjects. The statistical regression and correlation between L (ng/ml.kg) and BMI (kg/m 2 ) of obese patients were significant (p<0.05)(r = 0.963). Incidence of obesity correlated positively and significantly (p<0.05) with significant increase (p<0.05) in BMI, FBS, AST, HbA1c, L, C, T and significant decrease (p<0.01) in GA of the obese patients. These significant differences/alterations could be used as effective criteria/yardstick for the diagnosis, and management/treatment of obesity or monitoring of recovery from obesity.